Author(s): KORPOVÁ, D., KYSELOVIČOVÁ, O., Institution: FACULTY OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORT, COMENIUS UNIVERSITY IN BRATISLAVA, Country: SLOVAKIA, Abstract-ID: 2036

INTRODUCTION:
In women’s artistic gymnastics, performance in bar skills depends on a complex interaction of strength, power, and trunk control. While individual physical tests are commonly used in training practice, limited evidence exists on how lower-limb power and core strength relate to the performance of basic bar elements. The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between lower-limb explosive power, core strength, upper-limb strength, and performance in a fundamental bar skill - the hip pullover from hang - in young female artistic gymnasts.
METHODS:
Thirteen competitive female gymnasts (age: 7.66 ± 0.83 years) completed a battery of physical performance tests, including standing long jump, box jumps (number in 30 s), hanging pikes and over grip pull-ups. Bar skill performance was assessed using the hip pullover from hang. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients were calculated to examine associations between variables.
RESULTS:
A very strong correlation was observed between standing long jump and box jumps (rs = 0.83, p < 0.001), indicating a close relationship between horizontal and repeated vertical lower-limb power. Box jumps also showed a very strong correlation with hip pullover performance (rs = 0.81, p < 0.001). Strong relationships were further identified between core strength and both power- and bar-related tasks. Hanging pikes were strongly correlated with box jumps (rs = 0.72, p = 0.005) and over grip pull-ups (rs = 0.72, p = 0.005), suggesting an effective transfer of lower-limb force through the trunk during the swinging phase of hanging pike movements. In addition, hip pullover performance demonstrated a strong correlation with over grip pull-ups (rs = 0.79, p = 0.001) and a moderate-to-strong correlation with hanging pikes (rs = 0.61, p = 0.026).
CONCLUSION:
The findings highlight the central role of lower-limb power and core strength in the performance of basic bar skills in women’s artistic gymnastics, supporting efficient force production and transfer during bar skill performance. These findings support the use of power- and core-based field tests as practical indicators for monitoring bar skill readiness in young female artistic gymnasts.